Himachal Pradesh: Glacier Research

Mountains were once considered indomitable, unchanging and impregnable. But we are learning that they are as vulnerable as the world's oceans, grasslands and forests to environmental threats and insensitive, unfettered, development", said Klaus Topfer. Executive Director of UNEP. "The findings from our joint studies in the Himalayas, the roof of the world, reveals the extent of a new and alarming threat. It is not just the risk to human lives, agriculture and property that should worry us. Mountains are the world's water towers feeding the rivers and lakes upon which all life depends. If the glaciers continue to retreat at the rates being seen in places like the Himalayas, then many rivers and freshwater systems could run dry, threatening drinking water supplies, as well as fisheries and wildlife. We now have another compelling reason to act to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases."

A research was conducted in the Himalayas to understand the impact of climate change there and the steps that could be taken to mitigate the impact of climate change in high altitude. The research report are as follows: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6cmSIZ8GcKrRWtKVE1JZno5UlU/edit

Some images from the research work: